(a) A certificate of appropriateness must be obtained prior to commencing new construction, re-construction, rehabilitation, restoration, demolition, partial demolition, or any other modification, alteration, replacement, or visible change to the exterior of any building or structure which has been designated a contributing property or local historic property or that is located within an historic preservation district. Other visible changes may include exterior elements such as fences, signs, awnings, balconies, shutters, and satellite dishes.
(b) No zoning certificate or building permit shall be issued for any construction, re-construction, rehabilitation, restoration, or demolition of any contributing property, local historic property, or any structure in an historic preservation district unless a certificate of appropriateness has been issued.
(c) A certificate of appropriateness shall not be required in the case of normal and customary building maintenance activities or to paint an architectural feature or other visible exterior improvement, provided such activities do not render the structure concerned incompatible with the standards of this Chapter.
(d) Nothing in this Chapter shall prevent a property owner of a contributing property or local historic property, or any structure in an historic preservation district from making emergency repairs to the exterior of a structure where such repairs are necessary for the preservation of the structure and not caused by the neglect of the property owner. Nothing in these rules, procedures, or guidelines shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance and repair of any contributing property or local historic property or any building or structure within an historic preservation district provided the work involves no alteration to exterior architectural features.
(Ord. 13-36-A. Passed 11-4-13.)